Is coyote hunting at night in washington LEGAL ?

[Dillon]

Is coyote hunting at night in washington LEGAL ?

What are the rules ? just wondering , like the specifics and the techinicalitys

[grundy53]

yes it is as long as there is no big game season open.

[Dillon]

thanks. 

i was looking around but there was no clear answer to it so i knew some one on here had to know.

[grundy53]

no problem. look under "hunting hours" then read the excemption.

[bobcat]

From page 56 of the 2009 Hunting Regulations:

Night Hunting and Hound Hunting
During Deer and Elk Hunting Seasons
Bobcat, raccoon, and coyote may be hunted at night during established bobcat and raccoon seasons, EXCEPT that it is unlawful to hunt any wildlife at night or wild animals with dogs (hounds) during the months of September, October, or November in any area open to a centerfire rifle deer or elk season. The use of hounds to hunt black bear, cougar, bobcat, or coyote is prohibited year round except during commission authorized hunts.

[bobcat]

After re-reading the quote from the regulations I posted, it sounds like it is saying you can only hunt coyotes at night during bobcat and raccoon season? If that is true, you could only hunt coyotes at night until March 15th.

[Snowman]

After re-reading the quote from the regulations I posted, it sounds like it is saying you can only hunt coyotes at night during bobcat and raccoon season? If that is true, you could only hunt coyotes at night until March 15th.

That is correct after march 15th no night hunting for yotes sucks big time.

[bobcat]

OK, thanks for confirming that. So to clarify, bobcat and raccoon season goes from September 1 to March 15. So apparently you can only hunt coyotes at night during that period.

[grundy53]

i don't think so... i think they just left coyote season out cause there isn't a coyote season (open year round). i think coyotes at night are still ok but i would call the game department to make sure.

[Machias]

Coyotes can only ***ONLY**** be hunted at night during bobcat and raccoon seasons.  Coyotes are open year round but you can only hunt them at night during 1 Sep through 15 Mar and only if no modern biggame seasons are open.  

[Bofire]

 :)I disagree, coyotes can be hunted all year at nite,cept during big game,. There was a response from the Game Dept. on PM along time ago. the night restriction relates to Bobcats ONLY, not coyotes. BUT no one will beleive it so, who is gonna get an interpetation?
A group from PM sent in a request and got no response, they forwarded the request to a senator or Rep and they pushed it. the response is that restriction only applied to night hunting bobcats. The big game part is true you cant do it then. BUT I cannot find the thread!!
Carl

[Snowman]

Ah states is pretty clear, from now till sept no night hunting for yotes. But I will call Julie or Sgt Chandler in the am an get a true answer. 

[Bofire]

 :)COOL!! as I remember, ya I know I am old!!, we got several differnt answers from regional offices, but finally got an answer as I stated above. it was in the form of a letter.
help???
Carl

[Snowman]

Sgt Chandler will give a straight answer. Have known him since I was a kid. He used to come to the snoquamlie river in the summer to help me an some friends learn how to fly fish as he was making his rounds. The good ole days...

[Bob33]

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=232-12-289
Exceptions:

(a) Bobcat and raccoon are exempt from hunting hour restrictions during established bobcat and raccoon seasons except when that area is open to modern firearm hunting of deer or elk, hunting hours shall be one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset."
Coyotes are not explicitly mentioned in this WAC.  The Big Game pamphlet says coyotes may be hunted at night during bobcat and raccoon seasons, but it does not state anywhere that you cannot hunt them at night, with the exception of areas open to big game hunting in Sep-Nov.

Remember this disclaimer about the game pamphlet(s): "This pamphlet is a summary of the hunting regulations and seasons adopted by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission. This pamphlet does not contain nor is it intended to contain all Department regulations. Regulations specific to the hunting seasons described in this pamphlet are found in Sections 232-28-248 through 232-28-516, and 232-12-001 through 232-12-830, of the Washington Administrative Code."

Coyotes are not considered a game animal.

I would say it is legal, with the exception of big game seasons.

I don't know the specific officers mentioned, but I have had several instances where different enforcement officers interpret the WACs and regulations differently.